Ford
Flex
Honda
Odyssey
Ford Flex vs Honda Odyssey: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
The Ford Flex offers power, while the Honda Odyssey excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Ford Flex if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the Honda Odyssey if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Flex
Overall
Mixed to highly positive among owners, with sentiment heavily dependent on powertrain choice and awareness of a critical, well-known mechanical flaw. Owners express deep affection for the vehicle's unique boxy styling, exceptional passenger comfort across three rows, versatile cargo space, and car-like driving dynamics that avoid the bulkiness of traditional SUVs. The EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine is frequently praised for strong, satisfying acceleration, making the vehicle a "rocket" or "sleeper." However, this enthusiasm is tempered by a very frequent and severe criticism: the failure-prone internal water pump design on the 3.5L V6 engines (both naturally aspirated and EcoBoost), which can lead to catastrophic engine failure and is described as a matter of "when, not if." Fuel economy is consistently criticized as poor (16-20 MPG combined is typical), exacerbated by a small fuel tank, making it a primary reason owners seek replacements.
Best version to buy
Limited trim with EcoBoost engine and AWD. The Limited trim is associated with premium features like leather, rear climate control, and advanced technology.
Known issues
- ⚠Internal water pump failure: Design flaw where the pump is located inside the engine timing cover; failure can leak coolant into the oil pan, leading to catastrophic engine seizure without obvious external leaks.
- ⚠Poor fuel economy: Real-world combined mileage reported between 16-20 MPG, with a small fuel tank leading to frequent fill-ups. A primary reason owners seek to replace the vehicle. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Rust and corrosion: Significant rust issues reported, particularly on door tops under weather stripping, rear hatch seams, and exhaust components (e.g., "flex pipe"). Frequency: recurrent.
Odyssey
Overall
The sentiment is strongly positive regarding the Odyssey's core attributes of practicality, comfort, and long-term reliability, particularly for family transportation. It is consistently praised for its spacious interior, smooth driving dynamics compared to SUVs, and utility as a cargo hauler. However, owner sentiment is heavily qualified by generation-specific mechanical concerns.
Best version to buy
For the fifth generation (2018+), models from 2020 onward are preferred as the more reliable 10-speed automatic transmission became standard across all trims. For the 2018-2019 model years, the Touring and Elite trims are specifically recommended as they came equipped with the 10-speed, avoiding the problematic 9-speed ZF transmission found in lower trims.
Known issues
- ⚠• **VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system problems**: Causes excessive oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and premature piston ring wear leading to engine damage. Very frequent mention for 2005-2017 models.
The verdict
The Honda Odyssey is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Ford Flex, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Ford Flex is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Ford Flex or the Honda Odyssey?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Ford Flex and the Honda Odyssey. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Ford Flex or the Honda Odyssey?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Ford Flex is classed as a SUV, the Honda Odyssey as a Minivan, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Ford Flex or the Honda Odyssey?
The Honda Odyssey is more fuel-efficient on paper: 10.7 L/100km combined versus 13.1 L/100km for the Ford Flex, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Flex or the Honda Odyssey?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Honda Odyssey than the Ford Flex. See the known issues comparison above.